How does child support work if we both have joint custody?

Child support is appropriate when one parent has custody of a child for a longer period of time, or when one parent has sole custody. The purpose is to make sure that the parent who has custody doesn't end up shouldering the entire financial burden for caring for the child and to make sure that if you have a child, you contribute to that child's support.

When you have joint custody, that means you and your ex are sharing physical custody of your child. The support obligation changes in these situations because, presumably, you are providing financial support for the child during the time when he is with you.

As such, when determining child support, the court considers:

• How much time each parent has with the child.
• What each parent's income is
• What special expenses exist, such as day care or the cost of any medical care your child may need

Taking all these factors into consideration, the court will then make a determination as to what- if any- child support is required. If you are going through this process, it is always a good idea to get legal help. A lawyer can assist you in protecting yourself financially while still making sure that your child gets the support he deserves.